An 18-year-old University of Arkansas at Fayetteville student told police she was grabbed from behind and raped in the stairwell of an on-campus parking garage Sunday night.
The woman told police the attack took place about 8:30 p.m. between the first and second levels of the Garland Avenue Parking Garage. The popular parking structure is on the same block as the UA Bookstore and near student residences.
“She had parked in the parking garage on the third level and started down the west stairwell,” said Capt. Gary Crain with the UA Police Department. Then, “the suspect came down from behind her,” grabbing her, pushing her against a railing and sexually assaulting her.
Crain said the victim fought the man off during the attack.
“She escaped, and the person ran back up the stairs,” he said.
After breaking free from the “very brief” attack, the woman fled down the stairs, Crain said.
She described the man as wearing a black ski mask covering most of this face, standing about 6 feet tall and with a “somewhat muscular” build, Crain said. He was described as wearing a long-sleeved black T-shirt with sleeves gathered at the wrists, dark bluejeans and brown work boots, Crain said.
The woman reported the rape to police about 10 p.m., and the university sent out a text alert to students, faculty and staff at 10:44 p.m., “to alert people who might be out using that garage or other garages,” Crain said.
The west stairwell at the Garland garage has lights but is partially exposed.
“Nothing was out of order that we have received any information about. Everything was working as it should,” Crain said. He said he did not know of any other violent crimes reported at the garage.
Crain asked anyone with information about the attack to call police at (479) 575-2222 or text a tip to (479) 800-0405.
Arkansas, Pages 16 on 04/29/2014